In 2011 it took the Washington volleyball team a whole season to tally five wins, but on Tuesday the Pam Pack equaled its win total from a year ago in impressive fashion as it swept Coastal Conference rival Havelock 25-22, 25-15, 25-19 to up its record to 5-4 (3-0).
“It’s really exciting that it came this early in the season and that we’re 3-0 in the conference,” Washington’s second-year coach Kelly Slade said. “It’s really promising and I’m really excited about my team and the way they work together. They’re doing a great job.”
Last season Slade pointed the Pack in the right direction as its five wins were four more than the team had in 2010. On Tuesday, Slade said the team has grown leaps and bounds from a year ago.
“There’s just a ton of differences,” Slade said. “We’re working better as a team, we’ve had more practices as a team and we’ve had a chance to do summer camp and conditioning and we’re just better prepared.”
Washington edged Havelock in the first match winning 25-22, before it topped the Rams 25-15 and 25-19 to complete the sweep.
“I think what went well today was that we were able to bounce back from a slow start,” Slade said. “We had some spurts and runs that we were able to go on and it was really good.”
Megan Corey led the Pam Pack with 13 kills and two blocks, while Justyce McKissick added five kills, Caylee Jackson tallied four kills and Haley Wright and Alana Jefferson each had two.
Lacie Anglim led the team in assists with 14, while Ann Hunt Taylor dished outs seven.
Slade said some timely serving and a fighting spirit lifted the Pack past the Rams.
“We had some good serving today that really helped us out. Adriana Tyson had some key serves in a row for us to help us get back. We were down a little bit in each game but we rose above it and fought back to win.”
Washington will be back in action on Thursday when it plays at White Oak.